Filter for embolic material mounted on expandable frame

ABSTRACT

The filter device captures embolic material in a blood vessel and is placed in the blood vessel via a guide wire. The guide wire has a proximal end, a distal end and a stop near its distal end. The filter device includes an expandable frame of frame struts having a closed, radially compact form and an open, radially expanded form. The frame, in the radially expanded form, has frame struts forming a pair of facing frustoconical frame structures. Filter material is attached to one of the pair of frustoconical frame structures. In one embodiment, the filter material is a perforated membrane. The guide wire extends through the expandable frame and the expandable frame is freely movable over the guide wire (likewise, the guide wire is freely movable within the frame), both rotatably and longitudinally, except distally beyond the stop near the distal end of the guide wire. This mobility of the guide wire with respect to the expandable frame enables to guide wire to be guided by the operator through the blood vessel.

The present invention relates to a filter to capture embolic material mounted on an expandable radius frame which travels on a guide wire utilized during catheterization of a patient.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

During catheterization of a patient, a guide wire is directed through the patient's blood vessel to the site of interest. For example, the physician may wish to utilize a balloon catheter in order to enlarge a partially obstructed blood vessel at a certain location in the patient's vascular system. To do this, the physician utilizes a guide wire which is directed through the patient's vascular system to the particular site for balloon catheterization. Various medical devices are percutaneously inserted into the patient's blood vessel utilizing the guide wire. The balloon catheter, for example, is mounted at the distal end of an elongated tube. The guide wire is placed in the lumen of the balloon catheter tube such that the balloon catheter can be threaded over the guide wire, through the vascular system and placed at the site of interest by following the guide wire.

In order to enlarge a partially obstructed blood vessel, a physician may use various surgical techniques and biomedical devices or tools including balloon catheters, scrapers or other known medical devices. However, the utilization of these devices sometimes results in a release of an embolus (embolic material) which is an abnormal particle circulating in the blood. In order to reduce complications arising from these medical procedures, physicians sometime utilize filters disposed downstream of the site of interest. As used herein the term “downstream” refers to an item that is spaced a distance apart from a referenced item and in the direction of blood flow through the blood vessel.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,619,246 to Molgaard-Nielsen et al. discloses a collapsible filter basket. The basket includes a woven mesh but does not operate on a guide wire.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,723,549 to Wholey et al. discloses a filter which is expanded based upon inflation of a balloon acting as a donut mounted to expanding frame members of the filter disposed about the guide wire.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,053,008 to Bajaj discloses a filter which is expanded based upon inflation of a tubular balloon.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,108,419 to Reger et al. discloses a filter for capturing particles of plaque which includes a laterally (radially) collapsible bag with a plurality of longitudinally displaced filter cones therein. The bag has a draw string about its mouth which opens and closes the bag both laterally (to deploy or pull-up the conical filters) and longitudinally (to wrap the conical filters and the bag into a small-diameter shape). Each conical filter includes flexible tension supports which carry filter screens or mesh and which open and close based upon the respective longitudinal position of a generally static hub at the end of a guide wire running through the filter basket system. In another embodiment, a single conical filter is utilized with a filter stocking or collapsible bag thereabout. All the tension supports are flexible enough to wrap and twirl within the collapsible bag and wrap the conical filter(s) about the guide wire. Also, a draw string closes the collapsible bag in all embodiments. The flexible tension supports or radial ribs are resilient enough to provide force to spread the conical filter mesh across the lumen of the blood vessel.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,549,626 to Miller et al. discloses a filter deployed from the inside of a hollow tube by axial movement of an inner catheter.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,695,519 to Summers et al. discloses a wire, which controllably moves forward and aft, to open and close a generally conical filter by acting on the filter's mouth.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,810,874 to Lefebvre discloses a filter including strips that are radially opened by moving an inboard ring towards an outboard ring. The rings retain forward and aft ends of the strips. The filter can be detached from the guide wire.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,814,064 to Daniel et al. discloses one filter system which utilizes various types of inflatable ribs, tubes or struts and a second filter system wherein the filter material is deployed by longitudinal movement of a push-pull wire relative to a generally static distal end of a tube (see Daniel FIGS. 15-16B). In one embodiment, struts carry filter mesh and are forced radially outward by axial movement of a wire attached to the apex of the conical filter relative to a static tube end. In a collapsed position, the filter is disposed outboard of the static tube. In another embodiment, wire filter mesh has a conical memory shape such that when deployed outboard of a closed end cylinder, a conical filter is created by the memory shaped metallic filter. In another embodiment, only the open end of the conical filter has a memory shape. A further embodiment utilizes memory shaped filter mesh, a cinch wire and a push guide wire.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,911,734 to Tsugita et al. discloses a conical mesh filter with a proximal end strut structure connected to the distal end of a guide wire. Accordingly, the distal end of a guide wire is not downstream of the filter (see Tsugita FIGS. 2-8B). In another embodiment, the filter (conical or concave) is attached to radially outwardly biased struts. In a closed state, the biased struts are retained within a sheath. Upon axial movement of the guide wire relative to the sheath, the struts are moved beyond the sheath, they spring open to expand and deploy the filter. (See Tsugita FIGS. 10-11B). In a further embodiment, an egg beater filter is deployed. One embodiment of the egg beater filter utilizes a compressive spring which pulls fore and aft ends of expandable struts together, thereby radially expanding a filter basket with one side carrying filter mesh thereon. In other words, the filter is spring actuated. (Tsugita FIG. 15A). In another egg beater embodiment, pressure wires “spring” radially outward deploying conical cage wires which retain a mesh filter. (Tsugita FIG. 16). A scroll filter is also disclosed. A further embodiment discloses a filter with an expansion frame apparently made of memory shaped material. Tsugita FIG. 19 discloses a filter with a distally extending inner sheath having filter strut ends attached thereto and an outer sheath having the other filter strut ends attached thereto. To open the filter, the outer sheath is moved distally towards the inner sheath thereby causing the filter struts to buckle radially outward. The struts may be packed densely to form a filter or filter mesh material may be draped over the struts. In a different embodiment, an outer sleeve is longitudinally slitted. (Tsugita FIG. 23, 23A). When the distal end of the slit outer sleeve is pulled proximally, the slitted region buckles radially outward to provide an egg beater filter. The expanded cage can be draped with filter mesh.

PCT Published Patent Application WO 96/01591 discloses a concave filter deployed by axially shortening the distance between the filter mouth and the filter apex (attached to a distal end of a guide wire). The filter mouth is sprung open by tethers fixed at one end to a static tube. A rod extends through the filter to its apex. The filter opens based upon the relative position of the filter apex on the rod (which extends beyond the apex to form the distal end of the guide wire) and the static tube.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a filter device for capturing embolic material in a blood vessel.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a radially expansive frame, sometimes call “a basket frame,” which holds filter material and which captures embolic material.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide an expandable frame with frame struts having, in a preferred embodiment, a centrally located bent region and non-filter material disposed proximally beyond the opening of the frustoconical mouth of the frame and over a mid-region of the frame strut.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a controllably deployed blood filter (a filter which is not spring loaded or actuated).

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a manually controlled and deployed filter for capturing embolic material flowing through a blood vessel.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a filter material which is a perforated membrane.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a filter device with scalloped edges thereby providing an enhanced closure of the filter material.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The filter device captures embolic material in a blood vessel and is placed in the blood vessel via a guide wire. The guide wire has a proximal end, a distal end and a stop near its distal end. The filter device includes an expandable frame of frame struts having a closed, radially compact form and an open, radially expanded form. The frame, in the radially expanded form, has frame struts forming a pair of facing frustoconical frame structures. Filter material is attached to one of the pair of frustoconical frame structures. In one embodiment, the filter material is a perforated membrane. The guide wire extends through the expandable frame and the expandable frame is freely movable over the guide wire (likewise, the guide wire is freely movable within the frame), both rotatably and longitudinally, except distally beyond the stop near the distal end of the guide wire. This mobility of the guide wire with respect to the expandable frame enables to guide wire to be guided by the operator through the blood vessel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further objects and advantages of the present invention are found in the detailed description of the preferred embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates a cross-sectional view of the deployed filter device for capturing embolic material in a blood vessel;

FIG. 2 diagrammatically illustrates a collar at either the fore end or the aft end of the expandable frame and frame struts;

FIG. 3 diagrammatically illustrates the bent region of the frame strut and the partial wrap of non-perforated material around that bent region;

FIG. 4A diagrammatically illustrates the radially closed compact form of the expandable frame extending over the guide wire;

FIG. 4B diagrammatically illustrates the expandable frame filter in a radially closed compact form, on a guide wire and linked to an actuation tube and proximal lock with a catheter deployed at a proximal end of the filter, frame and actuator system;

FIG. 5 diagrammatically illustrates a cross-section of the radially closed compact form filter and illustrates the perforated filter material furled within the closed compact form of the expandable frame (the material being furled prior to deployment);

FIGS. 6A and 6B diagrammatically illustrate perspective views of the deployed expandable frame with the filter material on the outside of the frame struts and the filter material on the inside of the frame struts, respectively;

FIG. 6C diagrammatically illustrates a perspective view of a deployed expandable frame with perforated filter material without the delineation of the bent region for the frame members;

FIG. 6D diagrammatically illustrates the non-perforated material disposed around the bent transition region of the frame and the beginning of the perforated filter area;

FIGS. 6E, 6F and 6G diagrammatically illustrate a deployed expandable frame in a fully open state with filter material having a scalloped edge, a partially closed state, and a further closed state (the fully closed state diagrammatically illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 5);

FIGS. 7 and 8A diagrammatically illustrate a cross-sectional view of the expandable frame and frame struts without the filter material and a perspective view of the deployed frame struts, respectively;

FIG. 8B diagrammatically illustrates a plane view of the transitional bent region of the frame struts;

FIG. 9 diagrammatically illustrates the expandable frame and deployed filter material mounted on the guide wire and utilized in connection with a balloon catheter;

FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 diagrammatically illustrate various stops and latch mechanisms operable in connection with the filter device;

FIG. 13 diagrammatically illustrates a further lock and latch system in order to operate the expandable frame;

FIG. 14 diagrammatically illustrates a threaded lock between the expandable frame filter and the actuation tube;

FIGS. 15A and 15B diagrammatically illustrate actuator tube latches at the proximal end of the guard wire, blood filter frame and actuator tube;

FIG. 16A diagrammatically illustrates a deployed filter and the position of the “light touch” latch at the proximal end of the actuator tube (and the introduction of a catheter tube over the filter system and actuator tube);

FIG. 16B diagrammatically illustrates a detailed view of a guide wire and the light touch, filter deployed latch system;

FIG. 16C diagrammatically illustrates the proximal end of the actuator tube latch;

FIG. 17 diagrammatically illustrates the catheter tube being introduced over the actuator tube;

FIGS. 18A, 18B and 18C diagrammatically illustrate the positional relationship of the catch or latch ring on the latch tube of the actuator for the fully radially closed position (FIG. 4A), a partially deployed position and a radially fully opened position (FIG. 1);

FIG. 19 diagrammatically illustrates a thread control to manually deploy the filter, the thread control established between the threaded catch on the guide wire and the threads at the proximal end of the actuator cylinder; and

FIG. 20 diagrammatically illustrates a latch cylinder with indicia marking the radial deployment of the filter at the distal end of the system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to a filter device for capturing embolic material in a blood vessel.

FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates a cross-sectional view of filter device 10 generally freely traveling on guide wire 12. Filter 10 can rotate and move longitudinally over guide wire 12 except for longitudinal movement beyond stop 16 towards distal end region 14 of the wire 12. More importantly, the guide wire 12 moves freely through filter device 10. Guide wire 12 has a proximal end shown by arrow 18. Stop 16 is mounted near the distal end of the guide wire.

Filter device 10 includes an expandable frame 20 formed of a plurality of frame struts. Frame struts 21, 23, 25 and 27 are identified in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 1. In a preferred embodiment, each of the frame struts 21, 23, 25 and 27 have a bent region 22. In a preferred embodiment, bent region 22 is preformed and is centrally located generally midway between the fore region 24 and the aft region 26 of expandable frame 20 on frame struts 21, 23, 25 and 27.

In the radially deployed state, expandable frame 20 forms a pair of facing, frustoconical frame structures 6, 28. The mouth of frustoconical frame structure 6 in the illustrated embodiment is upstream of fore end 24. As implied earlier, the term “upstream” refers to a position opposite the direction of blood flow 30 shown by the single headed arrow in FIG. 1.

Filter material 32 (typically PET material having perforations (generally 80 holes, 400 microns each)), is attached to frame struts 21, 23, 25 and 27 forming frustoconical frame structure 6. In FIG. 1, filter material 32 is attached to the outside of frame struts 21, 23, 25 and 27 (FIG. 1 representing a cross-sectional view of the deployed filter device 10). The aft end of filter material 32 (proximally disposed with respect to fore end 24 of filter device 10), has a non-perforated or drilled material region about bend transition region 22. This is better shown in FIG. 3 which is discussed below. The non-perforated region enhances a sealing against the lumen of the blood vessel.

One important functional feature of the present invention involves the free movement of guide wire 12 within and through filter device 10. This freedom of movement, both radially and longitudinally along the length of the guide wire is accomplished by fore and aft collars 11, 34 of the filter 10.

FIG. 2 diagrammatically illustrates aft collar 34 movably disposed on guide wire 12. Similar numerals designate similar items throughout the drawings.

FIG. 3 diagrammatically illustrates frame strut 21 having bent transition region 22. Filter material 32 has a non-perforated material portion in bent region 22. Non-filtering region 22 generally restricts blood flow therethrough. This general flow resistant region 22 of material 32 operates differently compared to blood flow region of filter 32. Blood flow is generally shown by arrow 30 in FIG. 1. The material utilized for filter 32 in the blood flow through region 33 (FIG. 3) is drilled or perforated. Other filters are known to persons of ordinary skill in the art. Generally, blood molecules flow through filter flow region of material 32 at region 33 but embolic material is captured by the filter thereat. These embolic materials are sometimes created by balloon catheterization, stenting or other surgical techniques acting on a surgical site upstream of filter device 10. This is illustrated and generally described later in connection with FIG. 9.

FIG. 4A diagrammatically illustrates filter device 10 in a radially compact form prior to deployment of the expandable frame. Guide wire 12 includes a coiled tapered end 13 at distal region 14. In some situations, the end 13 of guide wire 12 may be curved to enable the physician to better guide and place the guide wire in the desired vessel of the patient. See the curved blood vessel in FIG. 9. Filter device 10 includes a generally cylindrical fore end piece 40 and a tapered fore end segment 42. At aft end segment 26, filter device 10 includes an actuation sleeve or tube 44 which extends in direction 18 to the proximal end of the guide wire (not shown). FIG. 4A also shows a further surgical instrument 48 which is utilized by the physician to repair, replace, mount a stent or utilize another biomedical structure or tool at an upstream location with respect filter device 10. Instrument 48 is commonly called a catheter.

In general, the operation of filter device 10 is as follows. The physician deploys the guide wire 12 in the blood vessel of the patient at or near the surgical site of interest. Filter device 10 is customarily carried by guide wire 12 through the vascular system. Hence, rotational and longitudinal freedom of movement of filter device 10 (integrated with actuation sleeve 44) with respect to guide wire 12 is important. The filter device 10 and actuation sleeve 44 runs with guide wire 12 as an integrated system or unit. See FIG. 4B.

Either before or after the physician threads or places balloon catheter or other surgical device 48 over the actuation sleeve 44 and hence over guide wire 12, the physician may radially deploy the expandable frame 10 in the following manner. The fore end 42 of expandable filter device 10 contacts stop 16 on guide wire 12. This position is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1. Before such contact, the physician may twist (torque) the guide wire through the vascular system. The guide wire freely moves rotatably and longitudinally through the filter device 10 (except for movement beyond is stop 16).

At that point in time or shortly thereafter at stop 16, the physician continues to exert a forward force on filter actuation tube or sleeve 44 in the longitudinal or axial direction with respect to guide wire 12 (e.g. pulling the guide wire while pushing actuation tube 44) thereby causing compression of filter 10 and sleeve 44 and frame struts 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 29 and 31 and causing the struts to radially expand to the position shown in FIG. 1. Radial expansion is limited by either the interior size of the blood vessel or the mechanical limits of the non-filter material about bent region 22. In the pre-deployed state and in a preferred embodiment, filter material 32 is furled within radial compact structure.

The operation of actuation sleeve 44 and actuator piece 115 (shown in FIG. 4B) is discussed later in detail in connection with FIGS. 15A, 15B, 16A, 17,16B, 16C, 18A, 18B, 18C. Alternative actuator and latch systems are shown in FIG. 19.

FIG. 5 diagrammatically shows filter material 32 furled or disposed in the interior of the closed radially compact form of expandable frame 20. FIG. 5 shows expandable 20 with frame struts 21, 23, 25, 27, 29 and 31.

After deployment and formation of frustoconical frame structures 6, 28, the physician (a) threads device 48 (e.g. catheter 48) over guide wire 12 and actuation sleeve 44 and (b) activates the balloon catheter or other biomedical device 48 which is upstream, relative to blood flow, of the deployed expandable frame 10. After the surgical procedure with biomedical device 48, expandable frame 10 is collapsed by the physician or other medical technician by longitudinally pulling actuation sleeve 44 in a proximal direction relative to the guide wire 12. The collapse of expandable frame 10 is achieved by (a) temporary retention of the fore end 40, 42 of expandable frame 10 or (b) closing spring action of the frame or (c) both retention and closing spring action. Temporary retention of the frame is shown diagrammatically with certain lock or latch structures in FIGS. 10-12 which are discussed later. Upon collapse, filter 32 captures and entraps embolic material and this embolic material is withdrawn from the blood vessel of the patient by proximal withdrawal of actuation sleeve 44 and expandable frame filter device 10 over guide wire 12.

FIGS. 6A and 6B diagrammatically illustrate filter material 32 on the outside of frame struts 21, 23, 25, 27, 29 and 31 and on the inside of those frame struts, respectively.

FIG. 6C diagrammatically illustrates filter device 10 in a radially deployed state. Filter material 32 has a filtering region substantially covering frustoconical frame structure 6. However, there is no clear demarcation (other than the absence of holes and passage ways) between filter material 32 and peripheral bend region 22 which is a non-filter region.

FIG. 6D diagrammatically illustrates a plane view showing non-filter region 22 and the filter region 33 from the perspective of a portion of section line D′-D″ in FIG. 6C.

FIGS. 6E, 6F and 6G diagrammatically show a scalloped edge in the non-filter bend region 22-22 a. FIGS. 6F and 6G diagrammatically illustrate various collapsed states or positions for frustoconical frame structure 6. The utilization of scallop or concave edge regions spanning adjacent struts (see concave or scallop edge region 120 between the adjacent struts 21, 31), enable the filter material 32 to furl and gather either beneath the frame strut (FIG. 6B) or about the frame strut (FIG. 6A) in order to achieve radial containment upon collapse and prior to withdrawal similar to that illustrated in FIG. 5. FIG. 6F diagrammatically illustrates that filter material 32 gathers and furls upon partial radial collapse of frustoconical frame structure 6 due to the concave or scallop nature of the material between the complementary frame struts, that is complementary to adjacent struts 21, 31. FIG. 6G shows that concave edge 120 promotes gathering of filter material 32 between the complementary frame struts associated with struts 21, 31. As used herein, the term “complementary frame struts” refers to struts attached to adjacent struts 21,31 and struts which form the frustoconical frame structure 6 upon which is disposed filter material 32.

FIGS. 6E, 6F and 6G diagrammatically illustrates that filter device 10 can be constructed to collapse and gather the filter material 32 as an umbrella.

FIGS. 7 and 8A diagrammatically illustrate a cross sectional view and a perspective view of the deployed frame struts 21, 23, 25, 27, 29 and 31. FIG. 8A diagrammatically shows an additional frame strut 33. Accordingly, filter device 10 can include a plurality of frame struts if necessary. FIG. 8A also diagrammatically shows the bend transition region 33 a for frame strut 33. In a preferred embodiment the frame struts are preformed (pre-shaped) and bent at transition region 33 a such that upon axial or longitudinal compression between stop 16 and the proximal region of guide 12, the frame struts expand at a predetermined common point. Preferably, the common point is centrally located on the struts. Preferably, the struts also have a “memory” which biases the struts to a closed position. See FIG. 4A. FIG. 8B shows a further enhancement wherein the struts are notched at 35 a, 35 b to facilitate a consistent and predictable bent region 33 a. Notches or cutouts 35 a, 35 b are preferably disposed at the midpoint of complementary frame strut members.

FIG. 9 diagrammatically illustrates the deployed filter device 10 disposed in a blood vessel 90 of a patient. Guide wire 12 has been generally placed near the site of interest and slightly distally beyond the site of interest. The site of interest is partial blockage or occlusion 92 in blood vessel 90 of the patient. It is desirable to have guide wire 12 move, with respect to filter 10, freely both radially and longitudinally except filter 10 will not move distally beyond stop 16 on guide wire 12. This freedom of movement (two degrees of freedom) permits the guide wire to move through the blood vessel 90 and particularly about blood vessel bend 91. In operation, the physician deploys expandable frame 10 downstream of medical device or catheter 48 relative to blood flow 30. Device 48 is placed and runs over the outside of actuation tube or sleeve 44 which is operatively associated with aft end region 26 of filter device 10. By longitudinal compression (a force directed distally by the physician via actuation sleeve 44), filter device 10 radially expands thereby deploying filter material 32. Filter material 32 has a filter size (perforations or hole diameter 400 microns) adequate to capture embolic material which may be dislodged by the medical procedure at site 92 upstream of filter 10. Biomedical device 48 in FIG. 9 is a general illustration of a balloon catheter. Actuator sleeve 44 and the collapsed filter device 10 easily passes within a 0.05 inch lumen of catheter 48.

FIGS. 10-12 diagrammatically illustrate various stop configurations and latches to enable (a) deployment of filter material 32 and (b) collapse and retrieval of the filter device 10 from surgical site 92. FIG. 10 illustrates stop 16 as a ring attached to guide wire 12. The fore end piece 42 of filter device 10 includes a channel 50 which is complementary or slightly smaller than guide ring-stop 16. When guide ring 16 is placed in channel 50 of fore piece 42, filter device 10 is latched onto and temporarily locked to guide wire 12. This latch or lock permits both radial deployment of filter 32 (see FIGS. 1 and 9) and also permits the closure of the filter by proximally moving actuation sleeve 44 in a direction away from ring stop 16. This movement is relative to the guide wire.

FIG. 11 shows a cylindrical stop 16 having a generally cylindrical body 17 and a protruding ring 19. Fore end piece 42 of filter device 10 includes a complementary cavity 50, complementary to the shape of ring like protrusion 19 and a larger fore end cavity 51 which is complementary to the aft end shape of cylindrical fixed stop collar 17. The operation is substantially similar as that discussed above in connection with FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 diagrammatically illustrates another configuration of stop and latch 16 which includes a radially inboard aft channel 13. The fore end 42 of filter device 10 includes a protruding end piece 52 that is complementary to aft end channel 13 of fixed lock collar stop 16. Again, the physician distally moves filter device 10 until fore end key piece 52 locks into channel 13 of collar stop 16. Further distal movement of actuation sleeve 44 over guide wire 12 (which is static or “not moving”) causes radial deployment of the expandable frame struts of filter device 10. To withdraw the filter device 10, the physician proximally pulls actuation sleeve 44 thereby collapsing the frame struts, collapsing the frustoconical frame structure 6 (FIG. 1), collapsing filter material 32 and capturing any embolic material which did not pass through filter material 32. Typically, the collapse is assisted by the closing spring action of the frame struts. The lock and latch system consisting of channel 13 and key latch 52 is strong enough to result in the collapse of the frame strut and the filter mesh. Upon further proximal movement of actuation sleeve 44 and after full collapse of the expandable frame 10, the locking force of channel 13 and lock latch 52 is overcome by the pulling force of the physician, fore end latch piece 52 exits locking channel 13 and the filter device 10 is withdrawn from the blood vessel 90.

FIG. 13 diagrammatically illustrates an aft end locking latch system. Aft end region 26 of filter device 10 includes an aft cylindrical end 55 with a ring collar 56. Actuation sleeve 44 includes a fore end piece 45 with a locking complementary channel 47 and a larger mating channel 49. Mating channel 49 passes over the aft end of aft member 55 of filter device 10. Locking channel 47 is complementary to the shape of collar protrusion 56 thereby enabling the actuation sleeve 44 to latch onto the ring collar 56. In this manner, the actuation sleeve 44 can be attached and detached from the filter device 10. If detached, the balloon catheter or other biomedical device 48 travels directly over the guide wire rather than over actuation sleeve 44. The forces necessary to latch and unlatch the fore end 40, 42 of filter device 10 must be commensurate or balanced with respect to the locking and latching features on the aft end 55, 56 of filter device 10.

In addition, FIG. 14 shows that aft end piece 55 of filter 10 can be threaded and carry a set of threads 60 which are complementary to thread set 62 on actuation sleeve 44. By locking and latching the fore end of filter 10 via one or more of the systems shown in FIGS. 10-12, the actuation sleeve 44 can be threaded onto aft piece 55 of filter device 10. Of course, the male and female thread features of the system shown in FIG. 14 can be reversed such that aft 55 defines female threads and actuation sleeve 44 carries male threads.

As discussed earlier in connection with FIG. 4B, filter 10 operates based upon longitudinal movement of actuator sleeve or tube 44. Longitudinal movement 112 is noted with respect to filter device 10, actuator 44 with respect to guide wire 12.

It is important that the physician be notified tactilely (via touch) and visually that filter device 10 is approaching distal end stop 16 which is permanently affixed to guide wire 12. In order to provide such notification, FIG. 4B utilizes three temporary stops or latch points 116, 117, 118. However, it should be noted that only a single temporary stop or latch point 116 may be utilized in connection with the present invention.

FIG. 15A diagrammatically illustrates a partial, cross-sectional detailed view of actuator piece 115 which is part of actuator sleeve 44. Preferably, actuator piece 115 is cylindrical and is made with a more rigid material as compared with actuator sleeve 114. Most of the materials utilized in connection with filter device 10 and actuator sleeve 44 are stainless steel. Filter struts are preferably Ni Ti. Filter material 32 is preferably drilled (with a laser) and filter material 32 and non-filter region 22 is preferably made of PET. Actuator piece 115 is preferably a tube of NiTi. Other materials may be utilized as known to persons of ordinary skill in the art.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 4B and 15A, three stops (temporary stops) or latch points 116, 117 and 118 are utilized. Temporary stop 118 provides an initial indication to the physician that filter device 10 is soon approaching distal end stop 16. Intermediate temporary 117 is a tactile and a visual notice of the close approach of nose piece 42 to stop 16.

FIG. 15A diagrammatically shows that temporary stop 117 has a slightly larger outside diameter as compared with the inside diameter of actuator piece 115. As described later, actuator piece 115 has a longitudinal slot 132 therethrough which permits the aft region of actuator piece 115 to move radially. Accordingly, the physician is permitted to hold or withdraw actuator piece 115 in the direction shown by arrow 112 a in FIG. 15A thereby causing actuator piece 115 to radially expand and “jump over” temporary stop 117.

FIG. 15B diagrammatically shows the slight radial overlap between temporary stop 116 and actuator piece 115. All latch points 116, 117, 118 have a similar radial relationship with respect to the interior or inner diameter of actuator piece 115. Accordingly, every time aft edge 134 of actuator piece 15 passes over temporary stop or latch points 116, 117, 118, the physician is tactilely notified and can visually confirm the position of filter device 10 in relation to distal end stop 16. By providing consistent, repeatable and reportable distance relationships between stops 116, 117, 118 and the radial deployment and/or longitudinal position of the filter basket and distal end stop 16, the physician or the operator can easily control the distance and radial expansion (and contraction) of filter device 10 in relation to end stop 16.

More importantly, distal end stop 116 is utilized to expand filter device 10 as shown in FIG. 16A.

FIG. 16A diagrammatically illustrates a radially expanded filter device 10 which is achieved by the physician longitudinally pushing actuator sleeve 44 such that actuator piece 15 is distally located or longitudinally inboard with respect to temporary stop or latch point 116. Even with filter 10 radially deployed as shown in FIG. 16A, the physician can easily rotate guide wire 12 as shown by double headed arrow 110 and also move the entire guide wire and temporarily latched and deployed filter 10 in the direction shown by double headed arrow 112 a. FIG. 16A also shows that biomedical device or catheter 48 can be fed over temporary stops 116, 117, 118, actuator piece 115, actuator sleeve 44 and lead to a point near the aft end of deployed filter device 10.

FIG. 17 shows catheter 48 extending over actuator sleeve 44. Guide wire 12 protrudes proximally out of the rear end of catheter biomedical instrument 48.

In order to radially collapse filter device 10, the physician pulls actuator piece 115 in the direction shown by arrow 112 a in FIG. 16A thereby overcoming the temporary latch 116, partially radially expanding actuator piece 115 and longitudinally withdrawing actuator sleeve 44 with respect to guide wire 12. As discussed earlier, the frame struts form filter device 10 preferably have a memory which biases the frame struts to a closed position. This feature enhances closure of the filter device 10.

FIG. 16B diagrammatically illustrates actuator piece 115 disposed at the proximal end of actuator sleeve 44. Actuator piece 115 includes a longitudinal slot 132. The proximal end 134 of actuator piece 115 is temporarily caught on latch point 116. It should be noted that actuator piece 115 may have a plurality of slots or may be made of a material which easily radially expands in order to overcome temporarily latch points 116, 117, 118. Also, rather than having square peripheral edges, the latch point edges may be rounded. Other latch point shapes may be utilized.

FIG. 16C provides a detailed view of slot 132 and actuator piece 115.

FIGS. 18A, 18B and 18C diagrammatically illustrate the various positional aspects of actuator piece 115 in relation to critical temporary latch point 116. In FIG. 18A, latch point 116 is at an inboard position relative to actuator piece 115. The physician can easily rotate guide wire 12 in the direction shown by double headed arrow 110 and may also longitudinally move guide wire 12 in relation to filter device 10 as shown by double headed arrow 112. In FIG. 18B, latch point 116 is disposed beneath slot 132. This position provides several advantages. First, the physician may tactilely and visually see temporary latch 116 as it travels within slot 132. Preferably, upon visual or tactile confirmation that sleeve 115 as been placed such that latch 116 is adjacent slot 132, the filter device 10 is radially deployed at various positionally related states of radial deployment. In other words, when actuator piece 115 is positioned such that temporary latch 116 is disposed at or near the inboard or distal end of slot 132, the frustoconical frame 6 begins to radially open filter material 32 (assuming that the actuator is moving distally with respect to a stationary guide wire). At the slot mid-point (FIG. 18B), frustoconical frame 6 is approximately 50% radially open. When actuator piece 115 is completely disposed inboard or at a distal position relative to temporary latch point 116 (FIG. 18C), frustoconical frame structure 6 is fully radially deployed.

FIG. 20 diagrammatical illustrates actuator piece 115 having various indicia or markings 170, 171, 172, 173 which show and provide a visual indication to the physician that the filter device 10 begins its opening sequence (indicia 170), is 25% open (indicia 171), is 50% open (indicia 172), is 75% open (point 173) and is fully open when proximal end 134 of actuator piece 115 is located at an inboard or distal position relative to temporary latch point 116.

Other types of temporary latches or stops can be provided at the proximal end of actuator sleeve 44. For example, FIG. 19 diagrammatically illustrates that critical latch 116 a has a male thread defined thereon and a proximal region 180 of actuator piece 115 has a female thread thereon. When the male thread of latch 116a mates with the female thread on proximal region 180 of actuator piece 115, filter device 10 begins to radially deploy. Upon rotation in a direction, for example direction 110 a, the physician by rotating actuator piece 115 radially expands filter device 10 by further threading threaded member section 180 of actuator piece 115 over threaded latch 116 a.

In some situations, embolic material trapped in the filter may limit full radial closure of the filter (to a state similar to FIG. 4A). If the embolic material carrying filter is radially large (relative to the fully closed position FIG. 4A), the physician, subsequent to the withdrawal of the catheter, (a) places a guide wire extender on the proximal end of the guide wire; (b) longitudinally withdraws the actuator tube and the “full” filter basket while leaving the distal end of the guide wire at the point of interest; (c) withdraws the filter basket proximally beyond the guide wire extender; (d) unmounts the extender from the guide wire proper; and (e) proceeds with other surgical techniques (which may include the use of a new filter basket and/or a catheter or stent). This procedure is particularly useful when a stent is placed in the patient's blood vessel.

The claims appended hereto are meant to cover modifications and changes within the scope and spirit of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A filter device for capturing embolic material comprising: a guide wire having a proximal end, a distal end and a stop near said distal end: an expandable frame of frame struts having a closed, radially compact form and an open, radially expanded form, said frame in said radially expanded form forming a pair of facing frame structures; filter material attached to one of said pair of frame structures; said guide wire extending through said expandable frame and said guide wire being freely movable, both rotatably and longitudinally, with respect to said expandable frame except distally beyond said stop to enable said guide wire to be guided; an actuator sleeve running over said guide wire, said actuator sleeve enabling longitudinal compression of said expandable frame and frame struts thereby causing said frame to radially expand and deploy said filter material; and, wherein said actuator sleeve extends proximally along said guide wire and includes means for temporarily latching said sleeve and expandable frame in a compressed and filter deployed state.
 2. A filter device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said expandable frame includes fore and aft collars through which passes said guide wire, said collars permitting said free longitudinal and rotatable movement relative to said guide wire excepting said stop.
 3. A filter device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said filter material has a scalloped edge about a radially large end of said one of said frame structures and said filter material is disposed on one of an inside and an outside of said one of said frame structures.
 4. A filter device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said filter material is disposed on one of an interior and an exterior of said expandable frame and said filter material is folded within said closed radially compact form prior to deployment, and said stop is a fled collar on said guide wire.
 5. A filter device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said fore collar defines a fore end channel complementary to said fixed collar thereby enabling said expandable frame to be initially locked onto said fixed collar to deploy said filter material and then collapse said frame structure about said guide wire.
 6. A filter device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said stop is a fixed collar on said guide wire, said fore collar defines a fore end channel complementary to said fixed collar thereby enabling said expandable frame to be initially locked onto said fixed collar to deploy said filter material and then collapse said frame structure about said guide wire.
 7. A filter device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said frame structures form substantially frustoconical frame structures which face each other.
 8. A filter device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for temporarily latching includes at least one latch stop on said guide wire and an actuator piece adapted to pass over with tactile resistence said at least one latch stop.
 9. A filter device as claimed in claim 8 wherein said actuator piece has indicia in dicating the state of radial deployment of said expandable frame.
 10. A filter device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said filter material is attached at one of beneath and atop said one of said frame structures.
 11. A filter device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said filter material is furled within said radially compact frame form and said expandable frame longitudinally removable over said guide wire.
 12. A filter device for capturing embolic material comprising: a guide wire having a proximal end, a distal end and a stop near said distal end: an expandable frame of frame struts having a closed, radially compact form and an open, radially expanded form, said frame of frame struts in said radially expanded form bent at longitudinal mid-regions thereof and forming a pair of facing frame structures; filter material attached to one of said pair of frame structures; said guide wire extending through said expandable frame and said guide wire being freely movable, both rotatably and longitudinally, with respect to said expandable frame except distally beyond said stop to enable said guide wire to be guided through said blood vessel; an actuator sleeve running over said guide wire and a temporary latch at a proximal end of said actuator sleeve, said actuator sleeve enabling longitudinal compression of said expandable frame and frame struts thereby causing said frame to radially expand and deploy said filter material.
 13. A filter device as claimed in claim 12 wherein said facing frame structures form substantially frustoconical frame structures and the filter material attached over said bent mid-regions of said frustoconical frame structures.
 14. A filter device as claimed in claim 12 wherein said filter material has a scalloped edge about a radially large end of said one of said frame structures and said filter material is disposed on one of an inside and an outside of said one of said frame structures.
 15. A filter device for capturing embolic material comprising: a guide wire having a distal end and a proximal end; an expansion frame having fore and aft collars connected to distal and proximal frame ends, respectively, said guide wire extending through said collars and being substantially freely movable, both rotatably and longitudinally, with respect to said collars and said expansion frame, said expansion frame having a pre-formed, centrally located transition bend region between said distal and proximal frame ends, said expansion frame having a first, radially collapsed position and a second radially open frame position in which said central transition bend delineates upstream and downstream substantially frustoconically shaped basket frames formed by said expansion frame; filter material attached to said downstream basket frame; an actuation sleeve disposed about said guide wire from said aft collar to said proximal end of said guide wire; and means for longitudinally stopping said fore collar on said guide wire thereby enabling deployment of said basket frames by longitudinal compression of said expansion frame via said actuation sleeve and with respect to said guide wire; wherein said actuation sleeve includes a temporary latch at its proximal end to enable said actuation sleeve to lock said frame in a radially open position.
 16. A filter device as claimed in claim 15 wherein said bend region is substantially midway between said fore and aft collars and supports a band of material thereon.
 17. A filter device as claimed in claim 16 wherein said filter material has a scalloped edge about a radially large end of said downstream basket frame and said filter material is disposed on one of an inside and an outside of said downstream basket frame.
 18. A filter device as claimed in claim 15 wherein said means for stopping is one of a fixed collar having a cylindrical body and a fixed collar configured as a ring, said fore collar defines a fore end channel complementary to said fixed collar thereby enabling said expandable frame to be initially locked onto said fixed collar to deploy said filter material and then collapse said downstream basket frame about said guide wire.
 19. A filter device as claimed in claim 15 wherein said filter material is furled within said basket frame prior to deployment.
 20. A filter device as claimed in claim 15 wherein said filter material is attached at one of below and atop said downstream basket frame.
 21. A filter device as claimed in claim 15 wherein said temporary latch includes at least one latch stop on said guide wire and an actuator piece, as part of said actuation sleeve, adapted to pass over with tactile resistence said at least one latch stop and wherein said actuator piece has indicia indicating the state of radial deployment of said expansion frame.
 22. A filter device for capturing embolic material in a vascular system and running over a guide wire having a proximal end, a distal end and a stop near said distal end, said filter device comprising: an expandable frame of frame struts having a closed, radially compact form and an open, radially expanded form, said frame of frame struts in said radially expanded form forming a pair of facing substantially frustoconically shaped frame structures, said expandable frame adapted to be movably mounted on and travel on said guide wire, said expandable frame including fore and aft collars through which is adapted to pass said guide wire, said collars permitting said free longitudinal and rotatable movement relative to said guide wire excepting said stop; filter material attached to one of said pair of frame structures, said filter material having a scalloped edge about a radially large end of said one of said frame structures and said filter material is disposed on one of an inside and an outside of said one of said frame structures; and said expandable frame being adapted to be freely movable over said guide wire, both rotatably and longitudinally except distally beyond said stop; an actuator sleeve adapted to run over said guide wire, said actuator sleeve enabling longitudinal compression of said expandable frame and frame struts thereby causing said frame to radially expand and deploy said filter material; wherein the actuator sleeve includes means for temporarily latching said sleeve and expandable frame in one of a compressed state and filter deployed state.
 23. A filter device as claimed in claim 22 wherein said actuator sleeve has indicia indicating the state of radial deployment of said expandable frame.
 24. A filter device for capturing embolic material in a blood vessel and running over a guide wire having a proximal end, a distal end and a stop near said distal end, said filter device comprising: an expandable frame of frame struts having a closed, radially compact form and an open, radially expanded form, said frame of frame struts in said radially expanded form forming a pair of facing frustoconical frame structures, said expandable frame adapted to be movably mounted on and travel on said guide wire; a filter material attached to one of said pair of frustoconical frame structures; and said expandable frame being adapted to be freely movable over said guide wire, both rotatably and longitudinally except distally beyond said stop; and an actuator sleeve adapted to run over said guide wire, said actuator sleeve enabling longitudinal compression of said expandable frame and frame struts thereby causing said frame to radially expand and deploy said filter material, and said actuator sleeve including means for temporarily latching said sleeve and expandable frame in a compressed state and a filter deployed state.
 25. A filter device as claimed in claim 24 wherein said expandable frame includes fore and aft collars through which is adapted to pass said guide wire, said collars permitting said free longitudinal and rotatable movement relative to said guide wire excepting said stop.
 26. A filter device as claimed in claim 24 wherein said filter material has a scalloped edge about a radially large end of said one of said frustoconical frame structures and said filter material is disposed on one of an inside and an outside of said one of said frustoconical frame structures.
 27. A filter device as claimed in claim 24 wherein said actuator sleeve indicia indicating the state of radial deployment of said expandable frame. 